Creamline opened its Premier Volleyball League grand slam bid with a 25-22, 25-18, 26-28, 25-22 win over PLDT, Thursday in the Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Leading by just a point, 21-20, Ced Domingo sparked the Cool Smashers’ 4-2 blitz to finish off the High Speed Hitters in four sets, 25-22.
“Syempre ‘yung PLDT maganda ‘yung scouting nila sa amin, nakaadjust sila sa third set… pero hindi naman kami na-rattle sa fourth set,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Knotted at 21, Yeliz Basa punctuated a 4-1 spurt with an off-the-block hit to give the Cool Smashers the first frame, 25-22.
Alyssa Valdez completed Creamline’s 7-3 rally with a crosscourt spike to get second set and move on the verge of a sweep, 25-18.
But PLDT pumped life to its chances as Jovie Prado hit a crosscourt kill, paired with a Cool Smashers error, to take the third, 28-26, and extend the match.
In her first game back since her bout with dengue fever, Valdez unleashed 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks.
“Honestly, kinikilabutan talaga ako as in goosebumps talaga every shout ng mga fans kapag nakakapoint ‘yung teammates ko,” said Valdez.
Turkish import Basa and Domingo also had 17 points apiece, with the latter scattering it through 11 attacks, three blocks, and three aces.
Two-time Conference MVP Tots Carlos did not play as Meneses opted to rest her in the team’s first match.
Elena Samoilenko led the High Speed Hitters, who dropped to 1-1, with 24 points on 22 attacks and two blocks.
Mika Reyes also chimed 11 points of her own in the loss.
Creamline will be back on Tuesday against Petro Gazz at 5:30 pm, while PLDT will have a whole week to recover, returning on Thursday against Choco Mucho.
